Sheriff’s Office: Suspect tried to steal church air conditioner

Jessie Frank Diaz, 27, of Lake View Drive in Granbury, was pulled over by Department of Public Safety troopers at Highway 4 and Loop 567 Wednesday around midnight.

He was arrested for an outstanding warrant from the Hood County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Johnny Rose.

The charge, felony criminal mischief, stems from Diaz trying to steal an outside air conditioning unit from a church at the 2800 block of Lipan Highway on July 28, Rose said.

“Diaz was scared off by witnesses and only damaged a copper line and drained the Freon, costing the church approximately $1,000 to repair it,” Rose said.

“Texas law clearly states that if you commit a misdemeanor criminal mischief at a place of worship, it becomes a felony.

“We will not tolerate anyone committing a crime at a place of worship in Hood County.”

Diaz was still in jail as of press time.

DRUGS AND TAMPERING

On Thursday around 3 a.m., Sheriff’s Office deputies made a traffic stop at Morgan Street and Spring Street, according to Rose.

“Before officers could get the suspect pulled over, he was observed tossing out a small baggie of marijuana,” Rose said.

Garry Paul Rench, 34, of the 2600 block of River View Trail, was arrested and charged with felony tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor.

He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance after they found him to be in possession of under a gram of methamphetamine, Rose added.

Bonds for all charges totaled $23,000. He was still in jail as of press time.

STORE OWNER ARRESTED

Cresson store owner Chaudhry Muzaffar, 50, who gave Hood County jail a Cresson address, turned himself in at the Hood County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for felony manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, according to Rose.

The charge stems from Muzaffar selling K-2 (synthetic marijuana) to undercover officers during a drug investigation, Rose said. Bond was set at $20,000. He is out of jail.

ASSAULT CHARGES FILED

A 19-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly choking his 21-year-old girlfriend during an argument, according Rose.

Joshua Ryan Barger of White Settlement was arrested at the 6500 block of Blue Water Court and charged with felony assault family violence impeding breath.

The girlfriend was not seriously injured, Rose said. Bond was set at $15,000. He was still in jail as of press time.